BlueScope Steel will sell the Iron Monarch after reaching a deal to transport hot-rolled coil from Port Kembla to Western Port by rail from late this year.The agreement with rail partner Pacific National will have BlueScope moving about 650,000 tonnes of hot-rolled coil to the Victorian facility each year.But the Maritime Union of Australia said the decision could put another 30 Port Kembla wharfies out of work, on top of more than 100 who lost their jobs when BlueScope left the export market last year.Southern NSW branch secretary Garry Keane said the announcement yesterday was a ‘‘real kick in the guts’’ for maritime workers, and could affect Iron Monarch’s two crews of 17.The decision follows closure of Western Port’s hot strip mill as part of BlueScope’s restructure.BlueScope said the Iron Monarch, a regular sight at Port Kembla for more than 30 years, was fitted to carry slab steel and would need costly modifications for hot-rolled coil. Supply chain and processing general manager Ingilby Dickson said the company had studied options including modifying the ageing vessel.‘‘The compelling option is to move all hot-rolled coil from Port Kembla to Western Port by rail,’’ he said. ‘‘The benefits include savings of around $1million per month over the current cost structure and improved material handling efficiencies ...’’The Iron Monarch had a $17million facelift last year. Patrick Stevedoring, with about 100 employees at Port Kembla, said it would work closely with unions to understand the implications of the sale.‘‘Patrick will ... consider all possible alternative work arrangements, including redeployment opportunities,’’ it said. Teekay Shipping, manager of the ship since 2002, said it was assessing the impact of the sale.